Chapter 14 Carter Cleaning Centres - Continuing Case Part 14 The New Safety Program Chemical vapours are produced continually and caustic chemicals are used in the cleaning process, High-temper Employees' safety and health are very important mat- ters in the laundry and cleaning business-they work ature stills are continually cooking down" deaning sol in very hot and slippery conditions. Each facility is a vents in order to remove impurities so that the solvents can be reused. If a mistake is made in this procent for small production plant in which machines, powered by high-pressure steam and compressed air, work at high example, by injecting too much steam into the still boilover occurs. A boilover is when a chemical solvent temperatures washing cleaning, and pressing garments Carter Cleaning Centres 363 boils and erupts out of the still and onto the floor. It can be dangerous for anyone standing nearby As a result of these hatands, and the fact that chemi cally hazardous waste is continually produced in these stores, several government policies and regulations Occupational Health and Safety, Canada Labour Code and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System WHMIST) provide strict guidelines regarding the man agement of these plants. For example, posters have to be placed in each store notifying employees of their right to be told what hazardous chemicals they are dealing with and what the proper method for handling each chemical is Waste-management firms who specialize in the dis- posal of hazardous waste must be used. A chronic problem the Carters face is the refusal by some employees to wear the safety goggles when working with chemicals. Not all the chemicals they use require safety goggles, but some--like the hydrofluore acid used to remove rust stains from garments are very dangerous. The latter is kept in special plastic containers, since it dissolves glass. The trouble is that wearing safety goggles can be annoying. They tend to be uncomfortable and when they get smudged it becomes difficult to see clearly. As a result, Jack has always found it almost impossible to get these employ. ees to wear their goggles Questions 1. How should the firm's process for identifying hazardous conditions be rectified? List at least 10 possible hazardous conditions relevant to the dry cleaning business 2. Would it be advisable for the firm to set up a proce dure for screening out accident proee individuals? How might they do so? 3. How would you suggest the Carters get all employ- ees to beluve more safely at work? Suggest how you might be able to encourage compliance with safety equipment, such as the use of safety goscles